Edinburgh Accies stadium plans get final approval

Edinburgh Accies’ controversial £8 million stadium and retail development has been given the final approval.

The city council has issued planning permission which will allow Scotland’s oldest rugby club to revamp its Raeburn Place ground in Stockbridge into a state-of-the-art hub boasting a 5000-capacity stadium, new clubhouse, function suite and museum.

It will be financed through a ground-floor stretch of nine retail units facing on to Comely Bank Road.

Community campaigners have opposed the plans, complaining the ambitions of a “rich man’s club” were taking precedence over local shops.

The club said it was “delighted” that planning permission for the development had been formally granted following the council’s indication last July that it was minded to approve it.

The next steps are expected to include finalising leases, deciding on internal layouts for the new facilities and refining the design.